A true meeting of creative minds, the Bird & Knoll X Zoe & Morgan capsule collection features the intricate ethnic shapes that inspire Zoe & Morgan’s jewellery, captured through the lens of Bird & Knoll’s own Moroccan travel archives. The idea to collaborate came about when Zoe Williams, co-founder of the eponymous jewellery brand, and Macayla were introduced by a mutual friend who felt the synergy between the brands and the personalities was too great to ignore – and thus a friendship (and the collaboration) started. Macayla recently sat down with Auckland -based Zoe to talk inspirations and style advice.
BK: What’s new in the world of Zoe and Morgan?
ZW: We are currently planning a family trip to Bali – later this month. I will fly in with my family from New Zealand, and Ruth will fly in with her family from London. Morgan lives there, so big bro is about to get his family fill in one hit! Aside from holidays we are working on new season which will release in February 2017, and we are planning parties for the Christmas season.
BK: How and what gives your inspiration for each collection? Tell us about the process behind each collection.
ZW: Each season our collections are inspired by a specific location. This season the focus was Morocco. We have come up with a cunning lifestyle plan that involves travel, seeing each other as a family and working on new season collections in a new environment. We research our destination, write down what we love about the location, and study the culture and history before deciding what we want to focus on and make. We then fly to the location and photograph our collection in the place that has inspired us. It’s not a normal business plan I know, but from the day we started this business we were clear about wanting work to be a blend of lifestyle and enjoyment.
BK: You and Morgan and Ruth live in different parts of the world. This must make things interesting at times. What’s the most challenging part of running your business?
ZW: Having New Zealand, Bali and London as our living locations makes the business have roots in all these places, and means we each manage our own domains but work together as a family on the whole picture. It actually gives us freedom, and we are able to work around the clock so projects are always on the GO.
BK: Your collections always have such a global feel about them. Tell us about your favourite travel destination and why.
ZW: Hmm I’m not sure I have a favourite as each place holds such different memories. Bali is special to me, as Morgan’s house is where my son Ace was born. We grew up with the poem, “The world is your cottage, Freedom your friend.” We are have all embraced this as adults.
..from the day we started this business we were clear about wanting work to be a blend of lifestyle and enjoyment.
BK: How has your personal style changed through the years?
ZW: I’ve always enjoyed fashion, and I think when I became a mum my style upped a few notches. I was 29 years old and living in London and I wanted to wear great outfits and celebrate a moment in my life of great change. I had beautiful silks and stylish attire and baby goo on my shoulder for a good few years.
BK: Favourite style advice?
ZW: Dress to your personal style and body type. I’m old enough to have seen fashion trends come and go, and I feel a natural interpretation of current trends is the best way to go! I like people who have fun with fashion though and Diana Vreeland is full of amazing quotes for style advice like this line here. “Blue jeans are the most beautiful thing since the gondola.”
BK: Tell us three ways you wear a scarf ?
ZW: In the winter I like to wear a really big scarf, like my Bird and Knoll cashmere blend, and have it brunched up high around my neck. In the summer I like to wear light weight scarves and will use them at the beach as a sarong, or something to lie on. And I’m a fan of a good head scarf too.
We grew up with the poem, “The world is your cottage, Freedom your friend.” We are have all embraced this as adults.
The Bird and Knoll x Zoe and Morgan capsule collection of scarves is available exclusively online at www.birdandknoll.com and www.zoeandmorgan.com
